JP6909479B2 - An air purifying structure using a photocatalyst of an air purifier, an air purifier having the air purifying structure, and a photocatalytic filter used for the air purifying structure. - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an air purifying structure using a photocatalyst of an air purifier, an air purifier having the structure, and a photocatalyst unit used for the air purifying structure.

Conventionally, an air purifier having an air purifying structure for decomposing a virus or the like using a photocatalyst has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In these conventional air purification structures using a photocatalyst, a photocatalyst such as titanium oxide is supported on one surface of the front and back surfaces of a plate-shaped base material having a large number of air passage holes penetrating in the thickness direction, and faces the supporting surface. A photocatalyst filter unit in which a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are arranged at intervals is provided at the position, and air is supplied to the unit in the thickness direction from one side of the front and back to provide an air passage hole of a plate-shaped base material and a photocatalyst layer. And the structure is such that the gap between a plurality of ultraviolet lamps is circulated. Then, in the process of passing through the photocatalyst layer, harmful substances in the air are decomposed and removed by the photocatalyst excited by ultraviolet rays.

However, in such a conventional photocatalytic filter, since the plate-shaped base material and the ultraviolet lamp are arranged in the thickness direction, the thickness of the unit is originally large, and the air supply path and the air discharge path are further provided on the front and back sides thereof. Since it is provided, the thickness of the entire air purifier is required, and there is a limit to thinness and compactness. Further, since air flows between the ultraviolet lamps, there is a limit to increasing the number of ultraviolet lamps, and there is a certain limit to the amount of ultraviolet rays that can be irradiated to the photocatalyst of the plate-shaped substrate and the efficiency improvement. For example, even if the photocatalyst is supported to the inner surface of the air passage hole of the plate-shaped base material, it is difficult to efficiently irradiate the ultraviolet rays to the inner surface.

Utility Model Registration No. 3150894 Special Table 2011-114894

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention is to solve the problem by efficiently irradiating the photocatalyst supported on the base material with ultraviolet rays to further improve the air purifying action of the photocatalyst and to purify the air. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air purifying structure using a photocatalyst capable of suppressing the thickness of the entire machine and making it thin and compact, an air purifier having the structure, and a photocatalyst unit used for the air purifying structure.

In the present invention, in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a plurality of plate-shaped portions on which a photocatalyst is supported on the front and back surfaces are arranged so that the front and back surfaces of adjacent plate-shaped portions face each other with a gap, and the gaps are formed. A photocatalyst filter serving as an air flow path is formed, and at least one of the end faces of each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter, the end face on the inlet side of air to the gap and the end face on the outlet side of air from the gap. An ultraviolet irradiation portion that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the gap is arranged at a position facing the end face on the side and at a position separated from the end face by a predetermined distance, and the ultraviolet irradiation portion and the end face of each plate-shaped portion are arranged. In the meantime, the air supply path that takes in air from the side substantially parallel to the end face and supplies the air to the flow passage formed by the gap between the plate-shaped portions, or the air discharged from the flow passage is substantially applied to the end face. Provided is an air purification structure using a photocatalyst of an air purifier, which is characterized in that an air discharge path for discharging air is formed in parallel to the sides.

Here, each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter is a plate-shaped portion having a pair of short sides and a pair of long sides facing each other, and the end face on the air inlet side and the end face on the air outlet side are each plate. Each end face is formed by forming the pair of long sides of the shaped portion, whereby air is passed through the air flow path in the direction in which the short side of the plate-shaped portion extends, and the ultraviolet irradiation portion is formed on each plate-shaped portion. It is preferable that the pair of long sides are arranged at positions facing at least one end face of each end face.

Further, from the side where the air supply path or the air discharge path is substantially parallel to the end face and extends in the direction between the ultraviolet irradiation portion and the end face of each plate-shaped portion. It is preferable that the flow path is for taking in or discharging air.

Further, it is preferable that each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter is a bent plate that is alternately bent in the front and back directions along the direction in which the end face on the air inlet side or the end face on the air outlet side extends.

Further, the ultraviolet irradiation portion is arranged at a position facing the end face on the outlet side of the air among the end faces of each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter, and the inlet is on the inlet side of the air of the photocatalyst filter. It is preferable that a white dust collecting filter is arranged so as to close the air.

In particular, it is preferable that the dust collecting filter has a photocatalyst supported on it.

Further, the ultraviolet irradiation unit is attached to a substrate facing the air outlet of the photocatalyst filter through a gap serving as an air discharge path and a surface of the substrate facing the photocatalyst filter. It is composed of an ultraviolet light source that irradiates the gap between the plate-shaped portions with ultraviolet rays and a light-transmitting cover plate interposed between the substrate and the photocatalyst filter, and is formed between the plate-shaped portions. It is preferable that the air emitted from the gap is discharged to the side end side along the surface of the cover plate through the gap between the cover plate and the end surface of each plate-shaped portion on the outlet side of the air.

Further, it is preferable that the photocatalyst filter is provided with a connecting portion for connecting the plate-shaped portions, and all the plate-shaped portions are integrated via the connecting portion to form a unit.

In the above air purification structure according to the present invention, the plate-shaped portion is preferably a metal plate.

Further, the present invention is an air purifier having the above-mentioned air purifying structure, in which the photocatalyst filter and the ultraviolet irradiation portion facing the photocatalyst filter are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the housing, and the front and rear of the housing are arranged. An air inlet and an outlet are provided at predetermined positions on the upper, lower, left, and right peripheral walls connecting the walls, and the air supply path from the inlet to the air inlet of the photocatalyst filter and the air supply path are provided in the housing. An air purifier characterized in that an air discharge path from an air outlet of a photocatalyst filter to the discharge port is provided, and a fan for forcibly flowing air is provided in the middle of the air supply path or the air discharge path. Also provides.

Further, the present invention is a photocatalytic filter used for the above-mentioned air purification structure, and fluid is applied to both the peaks and valleys of a metal plate body in which a plurality of rows of peaks and valleys are alternately formed. A metal filter base in which a through groove extending in the row direction is provided to allow the metal filter base to pass through, and the intermediate wall portion facing the through groove is a plate-like portion, and a tubular frame made of synthetic resin into which the metal filter base is fitted. Also provided is a unit-structured photocatalytic filter.

In the air purifying structure according to the present invention as described above, the ultraviolet irradiation portion is arranged at a position separated from the end face on the inlet side or the outlet side of the air among the end faces of each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter, and the ultraviolet rays are emitted. An air supply path that takes in air from the side substantially parallel to the end face or an air discharge path that discharges air to the side substantially parallel to the end face is formed between the irradiation portion and the end face of each plate-shaped portion. It does not supply or discharge air through the gaps of the ultraviolet lamps as in the past, but the degree of freedom in designing the ultraviolet irradiation part is significantly improved, and the photocatalyst of each plate-shaped part efficiently irradiates ultraviolet rays to the photocatalyst. It becomes easy to remarkably improve the air purifying action of the above.

Further, in the photocatalyst filter, a plurality of plate-shaped portions on which the photocatalyst is supported on the front and back surfaces are arranged so that the front and back surfaces of the adjacent plate-shaped portions face each other with a gap, and the gap is used as an air flow passage. Therefore, it is possible to efficiently irradiate ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation part to the inner part of each gap, and also take in air from the side between the ultraviolet irradiation part and the end face of each plate-shaped part. Alternatively, even if the air is discharged to the side, the gaps in the plate-shaped portion can be circulated without any air stagnation, and the air is efficiently cleaned by the photocatalyst on the front and back surfaces of the plate-shaped portion in the flow process. be able to.

Further, as described above, the present invention does not have a structure in which air passes through the ultraviolet irradiation unit, but a structure in which air is supplied or discharged from the side between the ultraviolet irradiation unit and the photocatalyst filter. It is not necessary to provide an air supply path or an air discharge path on the side opposite to the base material on which the photocatalyst of the irradiation portion is supported, the thickness of the entire air purifier can be suppressed, and the thickness and compactness can be reduced.

Further, each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter is formed as a plate-shaped portion having a pair of short sides and a pair of long sides facing each other, and the end face on the air inlet side and the end face on the air outlet side are each plate-shaped. Each end face is formed by forming the pair of long sides of the portion, whereby air is passed through the air flow path in the direction in which the short side of the plate-shaped portion extends, and the ultraviolet irradiation portion is passed through the plate-shaped portion. Since it is arranged at a position facing at least one end face of each end face forming a pair of long sides, the area of the ultraviolet irradiation part can be freely set, so that ultraviolet rays can be efficiently irradiated over the entire area in the long side direction. In addition to being able to do this, the direction toward the back, which is the flow direction of air in the gaps between the plate-shaped parts, is the short side, so ultraviolet rays are more reliably irradiated to the back, and the air cleaning action of the photocatalyst works more reliably and efficiently. Can be made to.

Further, from the side where the air supply path or the air discharge path is substantially parallel to the end face and extends in the direction between the ultraviolet irradiation portion and the end face of each plate-shaped portion. Since it is a flow path for taking in or discharging air, air is taken in and discharged in the direction in which the gap between the plate-shaped portions extends, and air can be efficiently circulated throughout the gap between the plate-shaped portions without resistance. Air purification with a photocatalyst can be performed efficiently.

Further, since each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter is bent alternately in the front and back directions along the direction in which the end face on the inlet side of the air or the end face on the outlet side of the air extends, it flows through the gap. The contact area of air with the photocatalyst can be increased, the air cleaning action can be improved, and the ultraviolet rays entering the gap between the ultraviolet irradiation part and the plate-like part are not hindered at all, but rather at the bent part. Ultraviolet rays are scattered, and the supported photocatalyst can be efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays from multiple directions, and the photocatalytic action can be enhanced.

Further, the ultraviolet irradiation portion is arranged at a position facing the end face on the outlet side of the air among the end faces of each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter, and the inlet is on the inlet side of the air of the photocatalyst filter. Since the white dust collection filter is arranged so as to close the dust collection filter, the dust collection filter having the same area as the front and back surfaces of the photocatalyst filter can be arranged, and the gap between the plate-shaped part of the photocatalyst filter is irradiated from the ultraviolet irradiation part. The ultraviolet rays are reflected by the white dust collecting filter and more efficiently irradiate the photocatalyst in the gap.

In particular, since the photocatalyst is supported on the dust collecting filter, the dust and the like trapped in the dust collecting filter and the passing air can be purified by the photocatalytic action.

Further, as described above, the present invention does not allow air to flow through the ultraviolet irradiation portion, but a degree of freedom in design is ensured. For example, a gap serving as the air discharge path is provided over all the outlets of the air of the photocatalyst filter. An ultraviolet light source that is attached to the substrate facing the substrate and the surface of the substrate facing the photocatalyst filter and irradiates the gap between the plate-shaped portions with ultraviolet rays, and the substrate and the photocatalyst filter. It is composed of a light-transmitting cover plate to be mounted, and air emitted from a gap between the plate-shaped portions is passed through a gap between the cover plate and the end surface of each plate-shaped portion on the outlet side of the air. , It can also be configured to discharge to the side end side along the surface of the cover plate. This makes it possible to efficiently irradiate a large amount of ultraviolet rays into the gaps between the plate-shaped parts of the photocatalyst filter by using a substrate equipped with an efficient ultraviolet LED element as a light source, further enhancing the air cleaning function of the photocatalyst. It becomes easy. Further, the heat generated in the ultraviolet irradiation portion is also efficiently exhausted by the air flowing through the air discharge path. Furthermore, the cover plate prevents dust from accumulating on the substrate and the ultraviolet light source, and the dust and the like accumulated on the cover plate can be easily removed by simply cleaning the cover plate during maintenance or replacement of the photocatalyst filter. Can be removed.

Further, since the photocatalyst filter is provided with a connecting portion for connecting each plate-shaped portion and all the plate-shaped portions are integrated via the connecting portion to form a unit, the photocatalyst filter can be easily replaced and maintained. , Convenience is improved. In the unit configuration by such integration, the plate-shaped portion and the connecting portion may be made of a metal material, a synthetic resin material, or the like as individual members and assembled with each other. In particular, in the case of a synthetic resin, the plate-shaped portion may be formed. It also includes integrally molding the connecting portion with.

Further, if the plate-shaped portion is a metal plate, the required rigidity can be maintained even if the plate-shaped portion is thin, and by making the plate-shaped portion thinner, the flow path in the gap between the plate-shaped portions can be widened, whereby the ultraviolet irradiation portion can be used. It is possible to efficiently irradiate the photocatalysts on the front and back surfaces of the plate-shaped portion with the ultraviolet rays of the above, and to make the air purifying action of the photocatalyst act more reliably and efficiently.

Further, according to the air purifier provided with the air purifying structure according to the present invention, the photocatalyst filter and the ultraviolet irradiation portion facing the photocatalyst filter are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the housing, and the front and rear walls of the housing are arranged. An air inlet and an outlet are provided at predetermined positions on the upper, lower, left, and right peripheral walls to be connected, and the air supply path from the inlet to the air inlet of the photocatalyst filter and the photocatalyst filter are provided in the housing. An air discharge path from the air outlet to the discharge port is provided, and a fan for forcibly flowing air is provided in the middle of the air supply path or the air discharge path. The air taken into the air purifier from the air inlet is efficiently supplied along the supply supply path to the photocatalyst filter in which the air inlet and outlet are arranged in the front-rear direction, and passes through the gap between the plate-shaped portions. The air is efficiently discharged to the side of the photocatalyst filter along the air discharge path, and the air can be discharged to the outside of the air purifier from the discharge ports provided at predetermined positions on the upper, lower, left and right peripheral walls.

Therefore, the air purifier can be constructed thin and compact, and it is not necessary to provide air inlets and outlets on the front and rear wall sides. Therefore, for example, as a wall-mounted type, as a display for paintings, photographs, liquid crystal screens, etc. It can be used for any purpose.

Further, according to the photocatalytic filter according to the present invention, in the row direction for allowing fluid to pass through both the peaks and valleys of the metal plate body in which a plurality of rows of peaks and valleys are alternately formed. A unit is configured by providing a metal filter base having an extending through groove and having an intermediate wall portion facing the through groove as the plate-shaped portion, and a tubular frame made of synthetic resin into which the metal filter base is fitted. As a result, replacement and maintenance are easy, convenience is improved, and a large surface area that comes into contact with air due to the uneven surface of the peaks and valleys is provided, and ultraviolet rays are efficiently applied to the catalyst layer formed on the surface of the intermediate wall. It is well irradiated and photocatalytic action is performed efficiently.

The perspective view which shows the air purifier which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. An exploded perspective view of the air purifier as well. Similarly, a vertical sectional view. Similarly, a cross-sectional view. (A) and (b) are explanatory views showing the air flow. An enlarged explanatory view also showing the air flow. The exploded perspective view which shows the photocatalyst filter. (A) is a front view showing an air purifying structure including a photocatalytic filter, and (b) is a side view. (A) is a perspective view showing a metal filter substrate constituting a photocatalyst filter, and (b) and (c) are explanatory views of the unit structure. (A) is a front view showing the metal filter substrate, and (b) is a side view. The perspective view which shows the other example of a metal filter substrate. (A) is also a front view, and (b) is a side view. Explanatory drawing of the main part which shows the modification of the dust collection filter. Explanatory drawing of the main part which shows the other modification of the dust collection filter. An exploded perspective view showing an air purifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention. It is also a vertical cross-sectional view, and the arrows in the figure indicate the air flow. Similarly, a cross-sectional view. An enlarged explanatory view showing the air flow. An enlarged explanatory view also showing the air flow. An exploded perspective view of a photocatalyst filter, an ultraviolet light source, and a cover plate. Similarly, an exploded perspective view of the photocatalyst filter. A perspective view of the ultraviolet light source and the cover plate as viewed from the rear side. Explanatory drawing of the main part of an ultraviolet light source and a cover plate. The perspective view which shows the modification of the metal filter substrate. An exploded perspective view of a photocatalyst filter, an ultraviolet light source, and a cover plate also according to a modified example. The perspective view which shows the metal filter substrate used for the photocatalyst filter which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, the front view of the metal filter substrate. Similarly, a side view of the metal filter substrate. Similarly, an enlarged cross-sectional view of a main part of a metal filter substrate. Similarly, an enlarged perspective view of a main part of a metal filter substrate. Similarly, an exploded perspective view of the photocatalyst filter. Similarly, a perspective view of a photocatalytic filter. An exploded perspective view of an air purifier that also uses a photocatalytic filter. An enlarged explanatory view showing the air flow of the air purifier as well. The exploded perspective view of the photocatalyst filter which concerns on 4th Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, a perspective view showing a state in which a dust collecting filter is attached to a photocatalyst filter. Similarly, a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a dust collecting filter is attached to a photocatalyst filter.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the air purifier 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention has upper, lower, left and right peripheral walls (upper walls) connecting the front and rear walls (front wall 10a, rear wall 10b) of the housing 10. An inflow port 11 for taking in air inside the housing 10 and an outlet 12 for discharging air to the outside of the housing 10 are provided at predetermined positions on the 10c, the lower wall 10d, the right wall 10e, and the left wall 10f), respectively. Inside the housing 10, a single or a plurality of photocatalyst filters 2 and a single or a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation units 3 that irradiate the photocatalyst filter 2 with ultraviolet rays facing the photocatalyst filters 2 are arranged in front of and behind the air purifier. It has a chemical structure S.

In this example, two photocatalyst filters 2 are provided on the left and right sides, for a total of four, and the two photocatalyst filters 2 on the left and right sides are vertically connected to each other on the same plane. Further, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 is provided with one ultraviolet LED substrate facing the entire surface of the two upper and lower photocatalyst filters 2 on each of the left and right sides.

Inside the housing 10, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an air supply path 40 from the inflow port 11 to the air inlet of the photocatalyst filter 2 and an air outlet of the photocatalyst filter 2 to the discharge port 12 An air discharge path 42 is provided, and a fan 6 for forcibly flowing air is provided in the middle of the air supply path 40 or the air discharge path 42. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 has a front cover portion 71 having a display portion 13 constituting the front wall 10a, and frame portions 14 to which the photocatalyst filter 2 and the dust collecting filter 5 are attached on the left and right sides, and the rear surface side. The rear wall 10b has a base portion 70 to which the fan 6 is attached, and a fixing portion (frame portion 27) for fixing the ultraviolet irradiation portion 3 at a position corresponding to the frame portion 14 on the front side on the inner surface side. It is composed of a rear cover portion 72 and the rear cover portion 72. In FIG. 2, the cover plate 32 constituting the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 is omitted.

The air purifier 1 of this example is configured as a wall-mounted type having a display unit 13 on the front surface. As shown in FIG. 4, a wall-hanging member 74 is provided on the outer surface of the rear wall 10b (rear side cover portion 72). Further, the rear wall 10b (rear side cover portion 72) has a shape in which both side portions 101 are inclined forward as compared with the central portion 100, so that the appearance of the air purifier 1 can be made thinner. As shown in 5 (b), a large gap s1 is formed between the side portion 101 and the wall surface W in the wall-mounted use state, and when air flows in from the inflow ports 11 on the left and right sides of the housing 10, it is in the air. It has a structure that can prevent dust from adhering to the wall surface.

The display unit 13 can have various configurations such as a painting, a photograph, and a liquid crystal screen display. A mirror can be attached to the front to make it a mirror surface. However, it can be placed on the floor or mounted on the ceiling to be used for lighting. When mounted on the ceiling, it is preferable to provide a light guide plate on the front surface to diffuse the LED illumination light input from the inside side so as to emit uniform light on the surface, and mount the LED illumination light downward on the ceiling. As a result, the thinness can be maintained.

The lower wall 10d of the housing is provided with an opening 73 for taking in air outside the housing in the odor sensor 7 provided on the inner surface side of the lower wall 10d, and the operation of the fan 6 and the irradiation of ultraviolet rays are performed in response to the signal of the sensor. The amount of ultraviolet rays irradiated by the unit 3 is controlled. It is also preferable to provide a dust sensor in place of the odor sensor or together with the odor sensor.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the front cover portion 71 engages a locking claw (not shown) provided on the inner surface of the upper portion with a locking recess 80 provided at a position on the corresponding upper surface of the base portion 70. At the same time, by fitting a protrusion (not shown) provided on the rear surface of the lower portion into a fitting hole 81 provided on the corresponding front surface of the lower portion of the base portion 70, the protrusion is detachably attached to the base portion 70. When the front cover portion 71 is removed from the base portion 70, the dust collecting filter 5 and the photocatalyst filter 2 mounted on the frame portion 14 appear, and maintenance and replacement work thereof can be easily performed. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the dust collecting filter 5 is removed from the frame portion 14.

Air that supplies air to the front surface of the photocatalyst filter 2 and the dust collection filter 5 attached to the frame portion 14 from the left and right inflow ports 11 on the rear surface side that is the inner surface side of the front cover portion 71 and the front surface side of the base portion 70. A partition wall 15 or the like constituting the supply path 40 is appropriately provided. Further, the air that has passed through the dust collecting filter 5 and the photocatalyst filter 2 and has passed through the gap between the base portion 70 and the ultraviolet irradiation portion 3 on the rear surface side of the base portion 70 and the front surface side of the rear cover portion 72, that is, the air that has escaped inward. A partition wall 16 or the like for forming an air discharge path 42 for guiding the fan 6 to the fan 6 and further leading the fan 6 to the upper discharge port 12 is provided as appropriate.

In this example, air is introduced from the left and right in this way to pass air from the front side to the rear surface side of the photocatalyst filter 2, and the gap between the photocatalyst filter 2 on the rear surface side and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 is formed on the center side. Air flows to the center, and the fan in the center directs it upward and discharges it to the outside of the housing. However, the air purifier 1 according to the present invention is not limited to such an air flow mode, and has an inflow port provided on the lower wall as well as the left and right walls, and an outlet is provided on the lower wall instead of the upper wall. Inflow ports and outlets on the upper, lower, left and right peripheral walls, such as those provided, those with inflow ports on the lower wall and outlets on the left and right walls or upper walls, those with inflow ports and outlets on the left and right walls, respectively. Various other configurations are possible as long as the above is provided.

The inflow ports 11 provided on the right wall 10e and the left wall 10f of the housing are provided on the rear edge of the opening edge of the inflow port 11 in order to guide the air to be taken in to the front side of the frame portion 14 to which the photocatalyst filter 2 is attached. An introduction wall 82 extending diagonally forward from the inside of the housing to the front end of the frame portion 14 is provided. The air taken in from the inflow port 11 passes through the air supply path 40 consisting of the space between the introduction wall 82 and the front wall 10a from the front side of the frame portion 14 and passes through the flow passage 41 of the dust collection filter 5 and the photocatalyst filter 2. It will be guided to the fan 6 side through the air discharge path 42.

As described above, such an introduction wall 82 constitutes an air supply path 40 that guides air to the front side of the frame portion 14 to which the photocatalyst filter 2 is attached, and is arranged behind the frame portion 14 in the housing 10. It also acts as a blocking wall to prevent the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 from leaking to the outside through the inflow port 11.

In addition, although not shown, the housing 10 preferably includes an operation button connected to an internal control unit for controlling the ultraviolet irradiation of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3, the operation of the fan 6, and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3. A light emitting display unit, a remote control signal receiving unit, and the like for displaying the operating status (strong / weak, etc.) of the fan 6, the air condition based on the odor sensor 7, the dust sensor, and the like by indicators such as the light emitting mode and numerical values are provided.

In the photocatalyst filter 2, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, a plurality of plate-shaped portions 20, ... The gap 21 is formed as an air flow passage 41. In this example, the plate-shaped portion 20 is a metal plate, but the material thereof, such as a synthetic resin plate or thick paper, can be appropriately selected.

More specifically, each plate-shaped portion 20 is a plate-shaped portion having a pair of short sides and a pair of long sides facing each other. In this example, they all have the same shape and dimensions, and are arranged in parallel in the same direction at equal intervals. The contour of the entire photocatalyst filter 2 in which these plate-shaped portions 20 are aggregated is formed into a flat plate shape having an equal thickness.

However, the shape is not limited to such a flat plate shape, and the shape of each plate-shaped portion 20 can be various shapes, for example, a trapezoidal shape having a tapered thickness can be set. Further, in this example, the direction of the short side of each plate-shaped portion 20 coincides with the thickness direction of the flat plate-shaped contour, but a part or the whole may be inclined obliquely. Further, the plate-shaped portions 20 may have different shapes from each other, or may not be arranged in parallel, but may be arranged in a radial pattern, for example. The intervals may be different.

As shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C, the photocatalyst filter 2 is formed as a unit by connecting and integrating all the plate-shaped portions 20 via the connecting portion 23 connecting the plate-shaped portions 20. It is composed of a metal filter substrate 17. In this example, the connecting portion 23 is also made of a metal connecting member, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various materials such as those made of synthetic resin can be selected.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9B, recessed grooves 22c are formed at the corners of the end faces 22a and 22b forming the long sides of the plate-shaped portions 20, that is, at the four corners, respectively, and the long sides extend. The concave grooves 22c at the corresponding corners of each plate-shaped portion 20 are linearly arranged along the direction orthogonal to the direction, that is, the arrangement direction of the plate-shaped portions 20, and the arrangement of these four concave grooves 22c is relative to the arrangement. The four long connecting portions 23 are arranged in a fitted state.

Further, in each connecting portion 23, recesses 23a fitted in the corresponding concave grooves 22c of each plate-shaped portion 20 are continuously provided in a comb-teeth shape along the longitudinal direction. In this example, twice the number of recesses 23a is formed so as to be able to cope with a case where the number of plate-shaped portions 20 is larger, so that the connecting portion 23 can be dealt with as a common part. For example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, by attaching the plate-shaped portions 20 to all the recesses 23a, the gap 21 is narrowed, but the number of the plate-shaped portions 20 is doubled to further enhance the photocatalytic action. It becomes possible.

Then, as shown in FIG. 9C, each of the recesses 23a is caulked and fixed in a state of being fitted into the corresponding recessed grooves 22c of each plate-shaped portion 20. In this example, a large number of recesses 23a are skipped and fitted into the recess 22c to be caulked and fixed. As described above, in the metal filter substrate 17 of this example, the plate-shaped portion 20 is integrally unitized via the four connecting portions 23. In addition to caulking, various joining means such as brazing and adhesive can be appropriately used.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the metal filter substrate 17 is further fitted into the tubular frame 18 made of synthetic resin to form the photocatalyst filter 2. The frame body 18 has an inner circumference of a hook piece 24a that hooks the peripheral end portion of one surface (in this example, the surface on the end surface 22b side of each plate-shaped portion 20) of the flat plate-shaped metal filter substrate 17 in the thickness direction. The other surface (in this example, each plate-shaped portion) of the frame main body 24 projecting from the surface and the metal filter base 17 mounted on the inner peripheral side of the frame main body 24 in a state of being hooked on the hook piece 24a. It is composed of an annular frame plate 25 for hooking the peripheral end portion of the end surface 22a side surface of 20).

A plurality of protrusions 25a are provided at predetermined positions on the peripheral end surface of the frame plate 25, and concave grooves 24b are provided at positions corresponding to the respective protrusions 25a on the inner peripheral surface of the frame body 24, and each protrusion 25a is a concave groove. By engaging with 24b, the frame plate 25 is detachably attached to the frame body 24. When the metal filter base 17 is maintained or replaced, the metal filter base 17 can be easily taken out / attached by attaching / detaching the frame plate 25.

In this example, the plate-shaped portion 20 is a metal plate, and the metal connecting member is also used as the connecting portion 23 to form the metal filter base 17, which is attached to the frame body 18 to form the photocatalyst filter 2. For example, when the plate-shaped portion 20 is made of a synthetic resin material, a frame body is substituted for the connecting portion, and the plate-shaped portion and the frame body are integrally molded, which is also a preferable embodiment.

An annular sealing material 19 made of a soft material is provided on the outer peripheral portion of the frame body 18. Specifically, an annular recess 24c is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the frame main body 24, and the sealing material 19 is attached to the recess 24c. The sealing material 19 is preferably made of silicone rubber. By providing such a sealing material 19, the photocatalyst filter 2 adheres to the frame portion 14 of the housing 10 and is stably held, and the photocatalyst filter 2 can be attached and detached only by this adhesion, so that workability is good and sealing performance is good. It is possible to ensure that air flows through the flow passage 41, which is the gap 21 of the photocatalyst filter 2, and further, it has the effect of preventing the photocatalyst filter 2 from vibrating in the frame portion 14 and generating noise. ..

The photocatalyst filter 2 has a housing 10 (frame portion) with the end faces 22a and 22b forming the pair of long sides facing each other of each plate-shaped portion 20 facing forward and backward so as to be on the air inlet side and the air outlet side, respectively. Air passes through the air flow passage 41, which is arranged in 14) and is a gap 21 between the plate-shaped portions, in the short side direction of each plate-shaped portion 20.

Further, in this example, each plate-shaped portion 20 is a bent plate that bends alternately in the front and back directions along the direction in which the end face 22a and the end face 22b extend in the long side direction, and the area of the front and back surfaces supporting the photocatalyst is increased. The contact area of the air flowing through the gap 21 with the photocatalyst is increased to improve the air purifying action. Such a bent plate shape can be efficiently formed by pressing a flat plate-shaped portion. This example has a gentle wave shape, but the bending angle may be further increased. The short side direction of the plate-shaped portion is preferably straight because it irradiates ultraviolet rays. In addition, it is also preferable to provide a hole, a cut-up piece, or the like in the plate-shaped portion.

As a photocatalyst, a titanium dioxide film is formed on the front and back surfaces of the plate-shaped portion 20. A known method can be used to form the titanium dioxide film, but the front and back surfaces of the plate-shaped portion 20 are roughened by sandblasting, etching, jib processing during press processing, Kaken treatment, or a combination thereof to form a coating. It is preferable to do so. When this photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3, OH radicals are generated, and harmful components and odorous components in the air are decomposed.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 is an end surface on at least one side of each end surface 22a, 22b forming the long side of each plate-shaped portion 20, and in this example, the air outlet side of the photocatalyst filter 2. It is provided at a position facing the end surface 22b (on the rear surface side) and at a position separated from the end surface 22b by a predetermined distance, and is arranged so as to irradiate ultraviolet rays from the position toward the gap 21. As a result, the air emitted from the flow passage 41 of the photocatalyst filter 2 is discharged to the side substantially parallel to the end surface 22b between the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 and the end surface 22b of each plate-shaped portion 20 of the photocatalyst filter 2. The discharge path 42 is formed.

More specifically, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 is attached to the substrate 30 and the surface 30a of the substrate 30 facing the photocatalyst filter 2, and irradiates the gap 21 (flow passage 41) between the plate-shaped portions with ultraviolet rays. The ultraviolet light source 31 is interposed between the substrate 30 and the photocatalyst filter 2, and is composed of a light-transmitting cover plate 32 that covers the substrate 30 and the ultraviolet light source 31. The substrate 30 and the cover plate 32 are attached to a fixed portion (frame portion 27) in the housing 10 so as to face each other through a gap serving as an air discharge path 42 over all the air outlets of the photocatalyst filter 2. There is.

In this example, the ultraviolet light source 31 is an ultraviolet LED element, and the circuit is mounted on the pattern-printed substrate 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. For the substrate 30, it is preferable to use a glass epoxy substrate having excellent strength, thermal conductivity, heat resistant temperature, and electrical characteristics. Further, it is preferable that a metal sheet such as aluminum is heavily attached to at least the back surface side of the substrate 30 so as to exert a heat dissipation effect.

As shown in FIG. 6, the air that has passed through the gap 21 (flow passage 41) between the plate-shaped portions from the front side of the photocatalyst filter 2 and exited to the rear surface side is basically the cover plate 32 of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 and each of them. The air is discharged to the side end side (center side of the housing) along the surface of the cover plate 32 through the gap (air discharge path 42) between the plate-shaped portion 20 and the end surface 22b on the air outlet side. .. Some air circulates between the back surface of the cover plate 32 and the substrate 30. The cover plate 32 prevents dust and the like from accumulating on the substrate 30 and the ultraviolet light source 31. Dust and the like accumulated on the cover plate 32 can be easily removed only by cleaning the cover plate 32 at the time of maintenance or replacement of the photocatalyst filter 2.

The heat generated in the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 due to the heat generated by the ultraviolet light source 31 is efficiently exhausted by the air flowing through the air discharge path 42. In particular, the ultraviolet LED element generates less heat, and this heat causes deterioration of the element itself. However, as in the present invention, the air is discharged laterally through the gap between the photocatalyst filter 2 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3. As a result, heat can be efficiently discharged as described above, and the durability of the ultraviolet LED element can be improved.

As described above, in this example, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 is arranged facing the air outlet side (rear surface side in this example) of the photocatalyst filter 2, but it is a position facing the end surface 22a on the inlet side and is from the end surface 22a. Arranged so as to irradiate ultraviolet rays from the position toward the gap 21 at a position separated by a predetermined distance, thereby irradiating the end surface 22a between the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 and the end surface 22a of each plate-shaped portion 20 of the photocatalyst filter 2. An air supply path 40 that takes in air from a side substantially parallel to the photocatalyst filter 2 and supplies the air to the flow passage 41 of the photocatalyst filter 2 may be formed. Further, the photocatalyst filter 2 may be similarly provided with ultraviolet irradiation portions on both the outlet side and the inlet side of the air to form the same air discharge path 42 and air supply path 40.

In the air purifier 1 of the present invention, a plurality of plate-shaped portions 20 in which a photocatalyst is supported on the front and back surfaces are arranged so that the front and back surfaces of adjacent plate-shaped portions face each other with a gap, and the gap 21 is formed. A photocatalyst filter 2 serving as an air flow passage 41 is configured, and ultraviolet rays are irradiated to a position of the end faces of each plate-shaped portion 20 of the photocatalyst filter 2 at a position separated from the end faces 22a / 22b on the air inlet side or the air outlet side by a predetermined distance. An air supply path 40 that takes in air from a side substantially parallel to the end face, or air is substantially parallel to the end face, between the ultraviolet irradiation portion 3 and the end faces 22a / 22b of each plate-shaped portion. It is characterized by having an air purifying structure S that forms an air discharge path 42 that discharges to the side in parallel.

Further, according to such an air purifying structure S, since air is not supplied or discharged through the gap of the ultraviolet lamp as in the conventional case, the degree of freedom in designing the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 is remarkably improved, and the ultraviolet irradiation unit is remarkably improved. It is easy in design to efficiently irradiate ultraviolet rays from 3 to the inner part of each gap 21. It is also a preferable embodiment to provide a scattering plate or a prism for more efficiently irradiating the ultraviolet rays in the gap 21 between the photocatalyst filter 2 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3.

Further, even if air is taken in from the side or discharged to the side between the ultraviolet irradiation portion and the end face of each plate-shaped portion, the gap 21 (distribution) of the plate-shaped portion does not cause any air stagnation. The road 41) can be circulated, and the air can be efficiently purified by the photocatalyst on the front and back surfaces of the plate-shaped portion in the distribution process. Further, since air is supplied or discharged to the photocatalyst filter from the side of the gap between the photocatalyst filter 2 and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3, an air supply path or an exhaust path is provided on the opposite side of the ultraviolet irradiation unit as in the conventional case. It is not necessary to provide it, the thickness of the entire air purifier can be suppressed, and it becomes possible to make it thin and compact.

As shown in FIG. 6, the air supply path 40 and the air discharge path 42 are lateral to the photocatalyst filter 2 substantially parallel to the end faces 22a / 22b of each plate-shaped portion 20, and the end faces extend. It is configured to supply / discharge air from the direction. As a result, air can be uniformly and efficiently supplied / discharged to all the gaps 21 between the plate-shaped portions. In this example, air is taken in from the left and right directions, the air supply path 40 is formed along the left and right directions, and the air discharge path 42 is formed from the photocatalyst filter 2 toward the center where the fan 6 is located. There is. Therefore, the photocatalyst filter 2 may be set so that the end faces 22a and 22b of each plate-shaped portion extend in the left-right lateral direction.

A white dust collecting filter 5 is arranged on the air inlet side of the photocatalyst filter 2 so as to block the inlet, so that dust in the air does not collect in the gap 21 between the plate-shaped portions of the photocatalyst filter 2. Has been made. The dust collection filter 5 is a corrugated type, and is fitted and mounted in a frame portion 14 that holds the photocatalyst filter 2. The size is set to cover the entire inlet of two photocatalyst filters 2 arranged side by side, but of course, it may be provided for each photocatalyst filter 2.

The dust collection filter 5 is preferably a HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filter made of a filter medium such as glass fiber or synthetic fiber, but other dust collection filters may also be used. The ultraviolet rays radiated from the ultraviolet ray irradiating portion 3 on the air outlet side (rear surface side) of the photocatalyst filter 2 to the gap 21 between the plate-shaped portions are reflected by the dust collecting filter 5 arranged on the inlet side (front surface side). Therefore, the photocatalyst in the gap 21 is irradiated more efficiently. As for the color of the dust collecting filter 5, it is preferable that the filter base material is white and a film that does not easily transmit ultraviolet rays is formed on the front surface side opposite to the rear surface side facing the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3. Further, if at least the rear surface side has a white color, ultraviolet rays can be reflected and the photocatalyst in the gap 21 of the photocatalyst filter 2 can be efficiently irradiated. Therefore, the filter base material is non-white and the rear surface side of the filter base material is used. A white film may be formed only or on the entire surface.

FIG. 13 is a modification of the dust collecting filter 5, in which the first filter layer 51 arranged on the rear surface side facing the photocatalyst filter 2 and the second filter layer 52 arranged on the front surface side. A dust collecting filter 5 having a two-layer structure is provided. The first filter layer 51 is composed of a layer in which the base material is white and at least the rear surface side is supported by coating a photocatalyst or the like, and the second filter layer 52 is a layer made of an electric non-woven fabric. , Similarly, it is preferably white, but other color systems may be used.

By making the dust collecting filter 5 have such a two-layer structure, first, dust and the like are efficiently trapped in the air by the second filter layer 52. Further, the ultraviolet rays irradiated from the ultraviolet ray irradiating portion 3 on the air outlet side (rear surface side) of the photocatalyst filter 2 to the gap 21 between the plate-shaped portions are reflected by the first filter layer 51 and returned to the gap 21 to return to the gap 21. Since the photocatalyst in 21 can be more efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet rays and the first filter layer 51 itself also carries the photocatalyst, dust and the like trapped in the first filter layer 51 and the passing air can be removed. It can be cleaned by photocatalytic action. The photocatalytic action of the first filter layer 51 can also decompose viruses and the like that are captured by the second filter layer 52 and migrate to the first filter layer 51.

It is preferable that the first filter layer 51 and the second filter layer 52 are both composed of a filter medium layer such as glass fiber or synthetic fiber. The two-layer structure of this example may be integrally formed, or two separately formed filters are used as the first filter layer 51 and the second filter layer 52, respectively, and are simply arranged so as to overlap each other. It may be the one. Further, these two sheets may be joined to each other.

FIG. 14 shows a dust collecting filter 5 in which a third filter layer 53 is further provided on the front surface side of the second filter layer 52 in addition to the first filter layer 51 and the second filter layer 52 described with reference to FIG. This is a modified example of. The third filter layer 53 is composed of a layer on which activated carbon particles are supported by coating or the like, thereby forming a dark-colored layer.

Such a third filter layer 53 efficiently captures dust and odor components in the air, and ultraviolet rays leaking from the gap 21 of the photocatalyst filter 2 to the front side are transmitted to the first filter layer 51 and the first filter layer 51. Even if it passes through the filter layer 52 of 2, it is absorbed by the third filter layer 53 and can be configured so that ultraviolet rays do not leak to the front surface of the dust collecting filter 5, and leakage from the housing can be prevented more reliably. can. Further, it is an example of FIG. 13 that the virus or the like captured by the third filter layer 53 and transferred to the second filter layer 52 and the first filter layer 51 can be decomposed by the photocatalytic work of the first filter layer 51. Is similar to.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 to 25.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 19, the air purifier 1A of the present embodiment takes in air into the housing 10 not only at the inflow ports 11 on the left and right walls of the housing 10 but also at the side portions of the lower wall 10d. An inflow port 11A is provided. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, in addition to the air supply path 40 from the inflow port 11 to the air inlet of the photocatalyst filter 2, in addition to the air supply path 40 from the inflow port 11A to the air inlet of the photocatalyst filter 2 inside the housing 10. An air supply path 40A leading to the inlet is formed.

The inflow port 11A is provided at the same lateral portion of the lower wall 10d corresponding to both side portions 101 of the rear wall 10b (rear side cover portion 72). Therefore, like the inflow port 11, the structure is such that dust in the air can be prevented from adhering to the wall surface when the air flows in from the inflow port 11A. When the inflow port 11A is provided in this way, the air intake efficiency of the air purifier is improved, and the air below the air purifier 1A is also taken in without delay and circulated, and is also provided on the inner surface side of the lower wall 10d of the housing. It is possible to improve the sensitivity of the odor sensor 7 and the dust sensor.

Similar to the first embodiment, the photocatalyst filter 2 and the dust collecting filter 5 attached to the frame portion 14 from the left and right inflow ports 11 are on the rear surface side, which is the inner surface side of the front cover portion 71, and the front surface side of the base portion 70. The air supply passages 40 and 40A for supplying air to the front surface are appropriately provided with partition walls 15 and the like.

In this example, air is introduced from the left and right and the lower side in this way to pass air from the front side to the rear surface side of the photocatalyst filter 2, and further, a gap between the photocatalyst filter 2 on the rear surface side and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3. Air flows to the center side, and the fan in the center directs the air upward and discharges it to the outside of the housing. However, various other configurations are possible, such as those in which the inflow port is provided only on the lower wall and the outlets are provided on the left and right walls or the upper wall, and those in which the inflow port and the discharge port are provided on the lower wall respectively.

As shown in FIG. 19, similarly to the inflow port 11, the inflow port 11A is directed from the rear edge of the inflow port 11A opening edge in order to guide the taken-in air to the front side of the frame portion 14 to which the photocatalyst filter 2A is attached. An introduction wall 82A extending diagonally forward inside the housing and continuing to the front end is provided on the frame portion 14. The air taken in from the inflow port 11A passes through the flow passage 41 of the dust collection filter 5 and the photocatalyst filter 2 from the front side of the frame portion 14 through the air supply path 40A consisting of the space between the introduction wall 82A and the front wall 10a. It will be guided to the fan through the air discharge path 42. Further, like the introduction wall 82, the introduction wall 82A also acts as a blocking wall for preventing the ultraviolet rays emitted by the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 from leaking to the outside through the inflow port 11A.

Further, in this example, as can be seen from FIGS. 17 and 18, the frame portion 14 to which the photocatalyst filter 2A and the dust collecting filter 5 are attached is configured in an oblique shape located closer to the center side toward the front. As a result, the gap between the photocatalyst filter 2A and the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 becomes wider toward the central portion, the pressure loss of air is reduced, and the distribution efficiency is further improved. The same effect can be obtained by forming the mounting frame portion of the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 in an oblique shape located toward the rear toward the center side, and these shapes may be combined.

In this example, two photocatalyst filters 2 are provided, one on each side. In each photocatalyst filter 2A, as in the first embodiment, a plurality of plate-shaped portions 20, ... The gap 21 is used as an air flow passage 41.

However, in this example, as shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, each plate-shaped portion 20 is not a bent plate but a flat plate that remains flat. Similar to the first embodiment, each plate-shaped portion 20 is composed of a metal filter substrate 17 in which a plurality of plate-shaped portions 20 are integrated via four connecting portions 23 to form a unit. The metal filter substrate 17 is further fitted into a tubular frame body 18A made of synthetic resin to form a photocatalyst filter 2A.

As shown in FIG. 18, the frame body 18A of this example hooks the peripheral end portion of one surface (the surface on the end surface 22b side of each plate-shaped portion 20) of the flat plate-shaped metal filter substrate 17 in the thickness direction. A metal filter base that is assembled to a flat tubular frame body 24A provided on one end side in the axial direction and a sealing material 19 on the other end side of the frame body 24A, and is housed in the frame body 24A. It is composed of the same flat tubular frame member 25A having a hook piece 25b for hooking the peripheral end portion of the other surface of 17 (the surface on the end surface 22a side of each plate-shaped portion 20 in this example).

The frame member 25A is provided with a grip piece 26 extending in the axial direction on the side opposite to the metal filter substrate 17, and as shown in FIGS. 15, 16 and 19, the inner surface of the frame portion 14 to which the photocatalyst filter 2A is attached. A locking groove 14b for locking the gripping piece 26 is formed at a corresponding position. The photocatalyst filter 2A can be easily removed and attached from the frame portion 14 by pinching the grip piece 26 by hand, which improves maintainability and allows the grip piece 26 to stably hold the dust collection filter 5. Each plate-shaped portion 20 may be bent in the short side direction. Further, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, a convex outer shape plate having an area gained by projecting a portion near the center excluding both ends connected by the connecting portion 23 toward the end face side facing the ultraviolet irradiation portion 3. Is also a preferable example.

As shown in FIGS. 20 and 22, the substrate 30 constituting the ultraviolet irradiation unit 3 is provided with a plurality of through holes 300. Further, on the surface 30b of the substrate 30 opposite to the surface 30a to which the ultraviolet light source 31 is attached, a metal plate 33 for heat dissipation is fixed in a state of being partially extended to the side, and FIGS. 18 and 23. As shown in the above, the frame portion 27 to which the substrate 30 is attached is configured so that the extending portion 33a of the metal plate 33 penetrates and projects into the air discharge path 42. Therefore, the heat generated in the ultraviolet light source 31 and tending to be trapped between the cover plate 32 and the cover plate 32 is transferred from the surface 30b of the substrate 30 to the metal plate 33, and the air flowing through the air discharge path 42 from the extending portion 33a. It is possible to efficiently dissipate heat inside.

Further, by forming the through hole 300, the heat on the 30a surface side of the substrate 30 can be guided to the opposite side 30b side. In particular, when the metal plate 33 is fixed so as to close a part or all of the through holes 300, the heat on the surface 30 side can be directly transferred to the metal plate 33 through the through holes 300 and dissipated. In this example, a metal sheet 34 such as aluminum is heavily attached to at least the 30b surface side of the substrate 30, and the metal plate 33 is fixed on the metal sheet 34, so that heat can be more easily transferred. In this case, it is preferable that the through hole 300 also penetrates the metal sheet 34.

Other configurations and modifications of the air purifier 1A using the photocatalyst filter 2A according to the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, the same structures are designated by the same reference numerals. The description of is omitted.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 26 to 34.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 26 to 30, a fluid is allowed to pass through both the peaks and valleys of the metal plate body in which a plurality of rows of peaks and valleys are alternately formed. The photocatalyst filter 2B is formed from a metal filter base 17B in which a through groove 28 extending in the row direction is provided and the intermediate wall portion 91 facing the through groove 28 is the plate-shaped portion 20. The gap 21 between the intermediate wall portions 91, 91 (plate-shaped portions 20, 20) adjacent to each other serves as an air flow passage 41 through which air enters and exits through the through groove 28.

A photocatalyst is supported on at least the front and back surfaces of the intermediate wall portion 91. In this example, the photocatalyst is supported on the entire surface of the metal filter substrate 17B. An upright piece 29 that stands up on the convex side of the mountain or valley is provided at the opening edge of each through groove 28 of the mountain or valley of the metal filter substrate 17B, and the upright piece 29 is also an intermediate wall. A plate-shaped portion 20 is formed together with the portion 91.

Then, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the metal filter substrate 17B is fitted into the tubular frame 18A made of synthetic resin having the same structure as that of the second embodiment to form the photocatalyst filter 2B. There is. Air circulates through each through groove 28 so as to move from one surface to the other.

Such a metal filter substrate 17B has a large surface area in contact with the fluid due to the uneven surface formed by the peaks and valleys, and at the same time, the inner surface and the opening edge of the through groove 28 formed in the peaks or valleys. The contact area with the fluid is also increased by the amount of the standing piece 29. Therefore, the catalytic action of the photocatalyst is efficiently performed. The upright piece 29 efficiently irradiates the intermediate wall portion 91 and the catalyst layer formed on the surface of the upright piece 29 with ultraviolet rays without hindering the entry of ultraviolet rays.

The uneven shape consisting of peaks and valleys and the upright piece 29 can be formed at low cost by press working. In particular, the upright piece 29 can be efficiently formed by cutting and raising by punching at the same time as or immediately after pressing the uneven shape. Of course, the processing method and the processing procedure are not limited, but according to the metal filter substrate 17B of the present embodiment, the connecting portion 23 is connected like the metal filter substrate 17 of the first and second embodiments. Since the work of connecting and integrating the plurality of plate-shaped portions 20 by caulking and fixing is eliminated and the strength can be maintained even with a thinner plate, the manufacturing cost and the material cost can be remarkably reduced.

In this example, the peaks and valleys are bent into a square shape to form an uneven shape as a whole, but the peaks and valleys are bent into a gentle continuous curved surface. But it may be. In addition, when one surface of the uneven surface of the concave-convex shape is the front surface and the other surface is the rear surface, and the portion protruding to the front side is the "mountain part", the "mountain part" and the "valley part" are on the rear surface side. The protruding part is referred to as the "valley".

In this example, two through grooves 28 long in the row direction are connected to one mountain or valley at intervals, and a bridging portion 90 formed between them (in the mountain or valley). The structure is such that the shape retention can be maintained as a whole by the remaining part between the through grooves 28). However, the length and spacing of the through grooves 28 can be appropriately determined according to the plate thickness, other dimensions, and the required degree of shape retention. For example, three or more through grooves 28 are continuously provided in the row direction. It may be composed of only one.

The standing pieces 29 are provided on both of the pair of opening edges extending in the row direction facing each other facing the through groove 28, and efficiently contact the fluid passing through the through groove 28 from both of the opening edges. It is configured to be able to. However, of course, it can be provided only on one of the opening edges. In the case of cutting and raising, the protruding length of the standing piece 29 formed on the one opening edge portion can be increased.

Further, the standing pieces 29 provided on both sides of the opening edge portion are long pieces extending over substantially the entire length of each opening edge portion, but of course, a plurality of standing pieces may be provided at intervals. In this case, standing pieces having a long protruding length can be alternately (staggered) formed at both opening edges by cutting and raising.

The standing piece 29 is a cut-up piece as described above. It is possible to braze a separately formed piece, but by using a cut-up piece, it can be formed efficiently and at low cost by machining. Specifically, the upright piece 29 is cut up and formed so as to be torn on both sides along the center of the mountain portion and the valley portion, thereby forming the through groove 28.

By forming the upright piece 29 by cutting and raising in this way, the base material can be used without waste, and the contact area can be maximized. The standing piece 29 projects substantially flush with respect to the intermediate wall portion 91 connecting the mountain portion and the valley portion. That is, the upright piece 29 and the through groove 28 are formed by cutting and raising using the entire width of the top surface (bottom surface) of the mountain portion (valley) so that there is no step between the through groove 28 and the intermediate wall portion 91. It is configured in. Therefore, the passage resistance when the air passes is minimized, the pressure loss of the air can be suppressed, and the cleaning can be performed efficiently.

Other configurations and modifications of the air purifier 1B using the photocatalyst filter 2B according to the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment. , And their description is omitted.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 35 to 37.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 35, the frame body 18C of the photocatalyst filter 2C has a flat tubular frame body 24C having storage spaces s1 and s2 for accommodating the metal filter base 17B, and the frame body 24C. It is assembled via a sealing material 19C, and is composed of a similarly flat tubular frame member 25C having a storage space s3 for accommodating the dust collecting filter 5. As a result, the dust collecting filter 5 is stably held inside the frame member 25C as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, and when it is integrally attached / detached to / from the frame portion 14 together with the photocatalyst filter 2C. A stable posture is maintained without falling off on the way, and good workability is realized.

In this example, the frame main body 24C is vertically divided into two by a partition plate 24d, and the above two storage spaces s1 and s2 are formed. In each of the storage spaces s1 and s2, the metal filter substrate 17B illustrated in the third embodiment is assembled in a state of being fitted in two. A hook piece 24a for hooking the metal filter substrate 17B is projected on the inner surface of the end portion on the side opposite to the side facing the frame member 25C. The strength of the frame body 24C is improved by the partition plate 24d.

On the inner surface of the end portion of the frame member 25C on the frame body 24C side, a hook piece 25b for hooking the metal filter base 17B is projected over the entire circumference. The metal filter base 17B is sandwiched between the hook piece 25b and the hook piece 24a of the frame body 24C and is held in the frame body 24C. Further, the hook piece 25b of the frame member 25C has a function of hooking the dust collecting filter 5 stored and held in the storage space s3 by the other surface, that is, the inner surface facing the storage space s3 in the frame member 25C. Also serves as.

A locking piece 60 and a gripping piece 26 for locking the stored dust collecting filter 5 are projected from the end of the frame member 25C on the side opposite to the side facing the frame main body 24C, and the dust collecting filter 5 Hold in a stable posture. Further, on the surface of the hook piece 25b on the side that comes into contact with the dust collection filter 5, a locking claw 61 that fits into the concave surface of the corrugated dust collection filter 5 and locks the dust collection filter 5 in an expanded state. 62 is projected.

In this way, the dust collecting filter 5 is held in the storage space s3 in an expanded state without shrinking, so that the function as the dust collecting filter 5 is maintained. In particular, when a photocatalyst is supported, light is efficiently irradiated and the photocatalyst function is maintained. A reinforcing rod 63 is provided on the inner surface of the end of the frame member 25C facing the frame body 24C at a position corresponding to the partition plate 24d of the frame body 24C to improve the strength of the frame member 25C. There is.

Other configurations and modifications of the air purifier using the photocatalyst filter 2C according to the present embodiment are basically the same as those of the first embodiment, the second embodiment or the third embodiment, and thus have the same structure. The same reference numerals are given to the above, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1,1A, 1B Air purifier 2,2A, 2B, 2C Photocatalyst filter 3 Ultraviolet irradiation part 5 Dust collection filter 6 Fan 7 Smell sensor 10 Housing 10a Front wall 10b Rear wall 10c Upper wall 10d Lower wall 10e Right wall 10f Left Wall 11, 11A Inflow port 12 Outlet 13 Display part 14 Frame part 14b Locking groove 15 Partition 16 Partition partition 17, 17B Metal filter base 18, 18C Frame body 19, 19C Sealing material 20 Plate-shaped part 21 Gap 21 Plate-shaped part 22a End face 22a, 22b End face 22c Recessed groove 23 Connecting part 23a Recessed part 24, 24C Frame body 24a Hanging piece 24b Recessed groove 24c Recessed strip 24d Partition plate 25, 25C Frame plate 25a Protrusion 25b Hooking piece 26 Gripping piece 27 Frame part 28 Groove 29 Standing piece 30 Substrate 30a, 30b Surface 31 Ultraviolet light source 32 Cover plate 33 Metal plate 33a Extension 34 Metal sheet 40, 40A Air supply path 41 Flow passage 42 Air discharge path 51 First filter layer 52 Second filter Layer 60 Locking piece 61, 62 Locking claw 63 Reinforcing metal 70 Base part 71 Front side cover part 72 Rear side cover part 73 Opening 74 Wall hanging member 80 Locking recess 81 Fitting hole 82, 82A Introduction wall 90 Bridging part 91 Intermediate Wall part 100 Central part 101 Side part 300 Through hole S Air purification structure W Wall surface s1 Gap s2-s4 Storage space

Claims (11)

A plurality of plate-shaped portions on which photocatalysts are supported on the front and back surfaces are arranged so that the front and back surfaces of adjacent plate-shaped portions face each other with a gap, and the gap is used as an air flow passage to form a photocatalyst filter.
Of the end faces of each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter, the positions facing at least one end face of the end face on the inlet side of the air to the gap and the end face on the outlet side of the air from the gap. An ultraviolet irradiation unit that irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the gap is arranged at a position separated from the end face by a predetermined distance.
An air supply path that takes in air between the ultraviolet irradiation portion and the end face of each plate-shaped portion from a side substantially parallel to the end face and supplies the air to the flow passage formed by a gap between the plate-shaped portions, or An air discharge path is formed to discharge the air discharged from the flow passage to the side substantially parallel to the end face.
The photocatalyst filter is configured by providing through grooves extending in the row direction for allowing fluid to pass through both the peaks and valleys of a metal plate body in which a plurality of rows of peaks and valleys are alternately formed. The intermediate wall portion facing the through groove serves as the plate-shaped portion.
Air purification structure with photocatalyst of air purifier. Each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter is formed as a plate-shaped portion having a pair of short sides and a pair of long sides facing each other.
The end face on the air inlet side and the end face on the air outlet side are each end face forming the pair of long sides of the plate-shaped portion facing each other, whereby the air flow path is the short side of the plate-shaped portion. Let air pass in the direction of extension,
The ultraviolet irradiation portion is arranged at a position facing at least one end face of each end face forming the pair of long sides of each plate-shaped portion.
The photocatalytic air purifying structure according to claim 1. Air is supplied from the side where the air supply path or the air discharge path is substantially parallel to the end face and extends in the direction in which the end face extends between the ultraviolet irradiation portion and the end face of each plate-shaped portion. The photocatalytic air cleaning structure according to claim 1 or 2, which is a flow path for taking in or discharging. Any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter is formed as a bent plate that is alternately bent in the front and back directions along the direction in which the end face on the air inlet side or the end face on the air outlet side extends. The photocatalytic air purification structure according to item 1. The ultraviolet irradiation portion is arranged at a position of the end face of each plate-shaped portion of the photocatalyst filter facing the end face on the air outlet side, and at the same time.
The air cleaning structure by a photocatalyst according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a white dust collecting filter is arranged on the air inlet side of the photocatalyst filter so as to block the inlet. The air purifying structure according to claim 5, wherein a photocatalyst is supported on the dust collecting filter. The ultraviolet irradiation unit is attached to a substrate facing the photocatalyst filter through a gap serving as an air discharge path over all the air outlets of the photocatalyst filter, and a surface of the substrate facing the photocatalyst filter. It is composed of an ultraviolet light source that irradiates the gap between the plate-shaped portions with ultraviolet rays and a light-transmitting cover plate interposed between the substrate and the photocatalyst filter, and is formed from the gap between the plate-shaped portions. Any of claims 1 to 6 in which the emitted air is discharged to the side end side along the surface of the cover plate through a gap between the cover plate and the end surface of each plate-shaped portion on the outlet side of the air. The photocatalytic air purification structure according to item 1. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the photocatalyst filter is provided with a connecting portion for connecting the plate-shaped portions, and all the plate-shaped portions are integrated via the connecting portion to form a unit. Air purification structure with photocatalyst. The air purifying structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plate-shaped portion is a metal plate. An air purifier having the air purifying structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
In the housing, the photocatalyst filter and the ultraviolet irradiation unit facing the photocatalyst filter are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction of the housing.
Air inlets and outlets are provided at predetermined positions on the upper, lower, left, and right peripheral walls that connect the front and rear walls of the housing.
An air supply path from the inflow port to the air inlet of the photocatalyst filter and an air discharge path from the air outlet of the photocatalyst filter to the discharge port are provided in the housing.
An air purifier characterized in that a fan for forcibly flowing air is provided in the middle of the air supply path or the air discharge path. A photocatalytic filter used in the air purification structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
A through groove extending in the row direction for passing a fluid is provided in both the mountain portion and the valley portion of the metal plate main body in which a plurality of rows of peaks and valleys are alternately formed, and an intermediate portion facing the through groove is provided. A photocatalytic filter having a metal filter base having a wall portion as a plate-shaped portion and a tubular frame made of synthetic resin into which the metal filter base is fitted, and configured as a unit.

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